City Guide: Park City, Utah

Park City Perks

Eat, drink, shop, and stay in Park City, Utah.

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A scallop starter at Riverhorse on Main.

Burns Cowboy Shop.

By Elaine SrnkaOriginally appeared in the January 2016 issue of Virtuoso Life.

GO FOR
In late 2015, Park City debuts as the largest ski resort in the United States, after new owner Vail Resorts combined Park City Mountain and Canyons resorts for 7,300 acres of skiable terrain. One highlight: a new gondola linking the two, part of a $50 million improvement project. The historic Old Town retains its cool charm, even when throngs of A-listers take over for the ten-day Sundance Film Festival (January 21 through 31, 2016).

EAT
Tucked into Canyon Village at the mountain base, The Farm redefines après-ski with craft cocktails, artful charcuterie boards, and regionally sourced menu items. Don’t miss the airy warehouse ambience of Riverhorse on Main; locals consider it the city’s best weekend brunch spot. Expect a wait at family favorite Vinto, but the wood-fired pizzas, gourmet salads, and casual pastas are worth it. The chef at cozy Shabu trained under famed Japanese restaurateur Nobu Matsuhisa and it shows: Practically everything on the menu is a must-order, from firecracker tempura shrimp to Snake River Farms Wagyu beef hot rock, miso-glazed black cod, and creative sushi rolls.

DRINK
Billing itself as the world’s only ski-in distillery, High West Distillery & Saloon is Utah’s first, since 1870. Located next to the Town Lift, High West serves up spirited cocktails and hearty fare such as bison burgers, pot pies, and schnitzels – there’s even a kids’ menu. Tour the distillery and buy bottles to take home (our favorite: the 36th Vote Barreled Manhattan). Always packed with locals and tourists, quirky No Name Saloon& Grill has the best rooftop bar in town. Order anything with fresh juice – they squeeze their own.

STAY
Set on ski-only slopes (as are all of Virtuoso’s Deer Valley properties), Montage DeerValley radiates a comfortable country club vibe. Though it’s a bit farther removed from town, there’s no need to leave the 220-room property, with its indoor and outdoor pools, multiple restaurants, innovative family activities, and arcade complete with bowling alley and pub.

A funicular delivers you up the mountain for a dramatic entrance to The St. Regis Deer Valley, tucked inside an exclusive gated residential community. Guests of the 169-room hotel can take advantage of a spa, athletic club, and on-site equipment rental. After a day on the slopes, settle into a chaise lounge on the ski beach with a cocktail.

The grande dame of Deer Valley, Stein Eriksen Lodge takes its name from the Norwegian Olympic skier who developed the resort. There’s a huge spa, and most of the 184 rooms offer whirlpool tubs.

You can’t beat the easy access of 175-room Waldorf Astoria Park City, Virtuoso’s closest hotel to Salt Lake City’s airport, with a lift that promptly takes guests to the base of Canyons. Each guest room has a fireplace; suites come decked out with a full kitchen and even more space (and fireplaces).